This is the next post in our series about how to earn a scholarship to play college basketball. Our last article discussed 7 topics that are crucial to having success in your recruitment journey. First, it is important to understand that in the competitive world of college basketball recruiting, talent is only part of the formula for earning a scholarship or roster spot at the next level. Coaches aren’t just looking for the most talented/skilled players, they are searching for players with high character. Why? Because character plays an important role in a team’s overall success, culture and long-term sustainability. In this post we will cover 5 important reasons why character matters to college coaches.
Character Drives Work Ethic and Coachability
Players with high characters have strong work ethics and are unselfish. They understand that the team is more important than self and are willing to take on whatever role a coach gives to ensure the team’s success. They show up early, stay late and put in the extra work on the floor, weight room, film room and in the classroom. High character players possess integrity. They don’t cut corners and hold themselves accountable. They embrace hard/critical coaching rather than resist it. A talented player that is not coachable can become a liability, while a high character player will continue to develop and maximize their potential.
High-Character Players Elevate Team Culture
“Culture” is a buzzword that gets thrown around a lot in college sports. My definition of Team Culture is the shared values, beliefs and behaviors of a team that shapes how they approach their daily process which ultimately influences the team’s success. A player with high character will positively affect a team’s culture because they uplift and motivate teammates, handle adversity in a positive manner and foster unity and accountability. These are all qualities that college coaches seek and want in players. What coaches DO NOT want are players with bad attitudes. Players with bad attitudes can cause division and dysfunction in a program.
Resilience and Mental Toughness Win Games
We briefly touched on how high character players handle adversity in a positive manner. Adversity is inevitable in college basketball. Whether it’s reduced playing time, injuries or a tough loss, the ability to handle challenges with a good attitude and perseverance is what separates great players from the rest. Finding players who are mentally tough and resilient is a major priority for college coaches. Coaches want players who demonstrate grit, leadership, and mental and physical toughness when things don’t go their way.
Trust Matters—On and Off the Court
College coaches are not going to babysit you. They invest a ton of time and resources into their players. They want players they can trust both on and off the court. When a college coach is evaluating prospects, they will do their due diligence to find out what type of person the prospect is. They will speak to coaches, trainers and sometimes teachers, opposing coaches and referees. They will leave no stone unturned. College coaches can’t afford to bring in a player that could negatively infect the locker room or someone they cannot trust. A high-character player represents the program in a positive manner on and off the floor and avoids unnecessary distractions. They stay focused on their goals and understand that their action directly affect the team.
Character Outlasts Talent
One of my all-time favorite quotes is, “a person’s true character is revealed by what he/she does when no one is watching.” (Unknown). A player’s athletic ability will decline over time, but their character endures. That is why college coaches prioritize prospects that are not just good players, but high character people. Those players are the ones who make a lasting impact.
Final Thoughts
Your character matters! If you don’t possess high character coaches will move on. College Coaches pay attention to body language, attitude, how you treat your coaches, teammates, officials, parents and how you handle yourself on and off the court. If you don’t consistently exhibit those qualities college coaches will NOT recruit you. Coaches want players that are coachable that they can trust. Talent may get you noticed, but CHARACTER will get you recruited.
Net Results Recruiting is a full-service recruiting solution that will help you get your name in front of college coaches and provide expert advice and guidance on every step of your recruitment journey. If you need assistance, then contact us today. Don’t leave your future to chance. Get started today with Net Results Recruiting and take control of your basketball journey!